Australia’s Sam Goodman has won his way into a massive IBF world title fight – and potentially a hometown Wollongong blockbuster as soon as August — but only after being given a massive scare by a rogue scorecard from Japanese judge Masakazu Murase.

The newest star of Australian boxing also earned one of his mates $50,000, and what one bookie described as a “good old fashioned strip out”.

Among the undeniable rising stars of Aussie boxing, Goodman is now on track to become our next world champion after a decision win over Ra’eese Aleem surprisingly decided by split decision.

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Despite coming into the fight as a $2.35 outsider with bookies, the Wollongong native boxed strongly throughout against a Las Vegas rival who was himself undefeated.

While the fight was undeniably close, especially through the early rounds, it seemed clear that at least seven had gone his way by the finish.

Both Australian judge Adam Height and American counterpart Daniel Sandoval both scored the fight for Goodman, 116-112, however Japan’s Murase surprisingly had the fight for the challenger Aleem, 117-11.

When the card was read out first, the Gold Coast Convention Centre was filled with chorus of boos and gave a nervous few moments for the fighter and his team.

Asked his thoughts, Goodman told Fox Sports Australia afterwards: “I thought it was madness.

“I was shocked, there’s no other word for it.

“I was praying they didn’t rob me, that the other two judges had their senses about them a bit.

“I thought seven-five to me. I thought I won the last six easy and the early ones, there was nothing in them so I would’ve had to get a couple.

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“It was about reacting and finding a way to put the hurt on him.

“And now I want

Asked about whispers the fight could be as soon as August, and potentially in his hometown of Wollongong, he said: “It’s a possibility, definitely.

“I just have to see how my cuts heal up.

“But best believe I’m getting straight back in the gym and pushing for a fight against IBF champ Marlon Tapales this year.”

Goodman also revealed how a cut over his eye, which required three stitches, had been caused by one of several headbutts landed by the American.

“It was ridiculous,” Goodman laughed. “You just watched me get stitched then, that can’t be from a punch.

“My eye was hanging.

“I remember starting one round, dominating and last minute – bang – headclash. Big cut. Straight away it was dripping into my eye.

“But I dealt with it and got through.”

Better, the fighter won big for his supporters, dubbed The Mad Bunch, with one winning $50k.

“Yeah, 50 grand, that was the biggest,” he laughed. “But there were plenty more who had a thousand, or a couple of thousand here or there.”

So what they would’ve made of the first scorecard?

“Oh, if that fight had been taken from me,” he grinned, “they would’ve been done their fighting the judges”.

A spokesperson for Palmerbet, who ironically sponsors the fighter, said the result had been “disastrous” for their bottom line.

“Was a good old fashion strip out for us,” he said.

“A lot still depends on NRL multis and things like that to play out but will be a disaster at best.

“But in saying that, we love what Sam is doing for boxing in Australia and all he represents … that definitely softens the blow somewhat for us”.

As he was being stitched up afterwards, the doctor told Goodman he would have to avoid drinking or the cut could start spurting blood again.

But his reply?

“Nah, stuff that,” he laughed.